Collapsible container



July 13,'"1965 J. W. MUIRHEAD GOLLAPSIBLE @ONTAINER 2 sheets-sheet FiledMay 7, 1962 hws/V702 JOHN W. MUIRHEAD Tram/En' l United States Patent3,194,425 COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER John W. Muirhead, 2299 Middle BenchRoad, RR. 1, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada Filed May 7, 1962, Ser.No. 192,735 3 Claims. (Cl. 217-47) This invention relates to collapsiblecontainers which may be flattened out for shipment and storage, andwhich may be quickly and easily erected for use.

An object of the present invention is the provision of collapsiblecontainers which may be made from scrap marterials, such as wood, veneeror plywood, or partly from materials such as cardboard, plastic and thelike.

Another object is the provision of a collapsible container constructionwhich makes it possible to make containers of various sizes fromsubstantially the same basic elements.

A further object is the provision lof containers having great strengthas compared to the strength of the materials used in their construction.

Yet another object is the provision of containers having any number ofconfining walls, thereby determining the cross sectional shape of thecontainers, With or without covers.

A still further object is the provision of collapsible containers ofsimple, attractive and light but strong construction.

A collapsible container according to the present invention includes aplurality of walls. These usually include a bottom wall, two side walls,and a top or cover which is considered a top wall, although in somecases the latter may be omitted. Eachwall comprises end battenspreferably formed of wood, but which may be formed of plastic or thelike, and a plurality of coextensive slats lying in a common plane.These slats are preferably formed of wood veneer, but they may be madeof thin plywood or other suitable material, such as cardboard, plasticand the like. These slats are quite small so that they may be made fromscrap veneer or plywood. The battens have grooves in surfaces thereofinto which ends of at least some of the slatst and are secured. Theslats are preferably secured in the hatten grooves by means of gluesince such glue may be as strong as or stronger than the slatsthemselves, and glue does not split or otherwise weaken the slats. Eachwall may be made any desired length with these comparatively small slatsby using one or more intermediate battens between and parallel with theend battens. The intermediate battens may be made of the same materialas the end battens. Each intermediate hatten has grooves in each ofopposite surfaces thereof into which ends of the slats fit and aresecured, preferably by means of glue. Thus, the length of a containerwall may be increased by adding more intermediate battens and slats. Thewidth of each wall is determined by the lengths of the battens, andthese have to be cut at predetermined lengths to produce walls ofdesired widths. f

The battens of the container walls are aligned, and exible hinge meansinterconnect adjacent ends of the battens so that the Walls may be swungfrom a at collapsed condition to positions normal to each other to forma container having at least bottom and side walls. The hinge means arepreferably pieces of Wire extending longitudinally from lone batten tothe next adjacent batten. Each wire has its ends bent inwardly so thatthey are pressed into the battens, and it is preferable to applysuihcient pressure against the wire hinges to press said wires into thebatten surfaces. Although it is preferable to use short pieces of wirefor the hinges, it is to be understood that cloth tape, plastic or otherbinding material may be used,

CII

ice

in which case, it will be preferable to secure the ends of the materialto the battens by means of adhesive.

If the container is provided with a top wall, one end of each hatten ofsaid top wall is connected by hinge means to the adjacent end of a sidewall batten. Suitable means is provided for releasably connecting theother end of each hatten of the top Wall to the adjacent end of a battenof the other side wall of the container. The releasable fastening meansmay consist of a wire loop on the end of one hatten adapted to extendinto a larger Wire loop on the adjacent end of another batten. A slightbending of the small loop outwardly relative to the container securesthe two loops together.

End walls are removably mounted in the container at the end battens ofthe walls thereof. Each end wall may be made of such size that it bearsagainst the inner surfaces -of the end battens when the container iserected. Suitable means is provided for releasably securing each endwall in position. In the preferred form of container, this securingmeans preferably is in the form of an elastic band having a clip at eachend. Each clip is shaped so that it may be moved through a small holeformed in a slat of one of the walls of the container. The clip is movedfrom the inside of the container outwardly thereof, and after it ispassed through the slat hole, the clip is swung into a positionsubstantially at right angles to the elastic band, at which time, itbears against thefouter surface of the slat. As the clips of the elasticband are passed through opposed Walls of the container, the band drawssaid walls towards each other against the adjacent edges of the`container end wall. It is preferable to apply each fastener to the sidewalls of the container near the upper edges thereof.

An example of this invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of the walls of a container laid out flatfor shipment or storage,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross section taken on the line 2 2 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective View of an end wall for the con-tainer, l

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view tof the outside of one end of thecontainer in erected position,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the inside of an end of the containerwith the top wall in the open position,

FIGURE 6 illustrates one form of fastening or securing means for thecontainer,

FIGURE 7 is a perspective View with parts broken 'away of one end of thecontainer illustrating an alternative form of fastening or securingmeans therefor, and

FIGURE 8 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 8 8 ofFIGURE 7. Y

Referring to the drawings, lil is a collapsible container made up ofwalls 12,713, 14 and 15; 12 and 14 being side walls, 13 a bottom wall,and 15 a top wall. As these walls are identical in con-struction, oneonly will be described in detail, and the same numerals are used oncorrespondlng parts in these walls.

Each wall comprises identical end battens 20 and 22, the length of whichdetermines the width of the wall. These battens are rectangular in crosssection and are thickenough to be substantially rigid in the wall.Batten Ztl has a central groove 24 in and extending longitudinally ofits inner wall 25. Similarly, hatten 22 has a central groove 27 in andextending longitudinally of its inner surface 28. The wall also includesa plurality of small, thin slats 32 which are coextensive and lie in acommon plane. These slats are preferably relatively small so that theycan be made from scrap or waste material. The length of each wall of thecontainer depends upon the number of slats 32 that are laid end to endbetween battens 20 and 22. In the illustrated container, each wall ismade up of three sections 35, 36 and 37. The wall sec tions areseparated from each other by intermediate battens, and in this example,there are two intermediate bat- Vvtens, 40 and 41. T hese4 battens areparallel to each other and to end battens 2i) and 22.k The intermediatebattens for production reasons, are preferably the same size and shapein cross section as the end battens, but they may be larger or smaller,if desired.

Batten 40has central longitudinaly grooves 45 kand 46 n the oppositesurfaces thereof, While batten 41 has similar grooves 4S and 49 in` itsopposite surfaces.

The lengths .of the battens 2t), 22, 40 and 41 are such that each wallisV substantially two slats 32 wide. The ends `of'slats 32 of wallsection 35 are positioned in the opposed grooves 24 and 45 of battens 20and 40, and are secured in said grooves by means of a suitable adhesive.The ends of slats 32 of wall section 35 are secured in opposed grooves46 and 48 of intermediate battens 4i) and 41. Similarly, the slats 32 ofwall section 37 are secured in opposed grooves 27 and 49 of battens 22and 41. As stated above, it is preferable to use asuitable glue forsecuring the slat ends in the batten grooves or slots. This secures eachend of each slat throughout the entire width of Vsaid slat to theadjacent batten. Thus, the battens reinforce the slats and provide astrength in the container wall beyond the normal. strength of theindividual slats. Furthermore, small pieces of wood, such Yas scrap orwaste wood, are used without limiting the size of the container andwithout weakening said container.

Y It is preferable to mitre the ends of the battens, and so the ends ofbattens 20, '22, 4@ and 41 are formed with mitres 52, 54,56 and 58,respectively.

The adjacent ends of the end battens of container walls 12, 13, 14 and15 are interconnected by suitable flexible hinge means. In this example,the adjacent ends of battens 20 are interconnected by short pieces ofwire 61B, the ends 61 of which are bent inwardly and pressed into theadjacent batten surfaces. It is preferable that each wire 60 is pressedinto the hatten surfaces so that there is little or no projection beyondor outwardly of saidA surfaces.

The adjacent ends of end battens 22, intermediatebattens Y 40 andintermediate battens 41 are interconnected by wires 64, and `66,respectively, in the same manner as battens 2t).l

The flexible wires or hinges 60, 64, 65 kand 66 form simple andeffective hinge means for interconnecting the adjacent ends of thebattens of the container walls. The hinges are inexpensive and simple toapply, and do not add any material weight or bulk to the container.

. Container `10 is erected by swinging walls 12 and 14 into positionssubstantially normal to wall 13. The adjacent mitredendsof the battensbear against eachother vto'make neat corners for the container and tobrace one y another. For example, the battens `of bottom wall 13 bearagainst the adjacent ends of the battens of side walls 12 and 14, andresist movement of the latter battens inwardly of the container. K

A pair of end walls are provided for container 10. Each end wall isshaped to fit Ythe desired cross sectional shape of the container. Theend wall may be formed of plywood, plastic, cardboard and the like, butit is preferably formed as clearly shown in FIGURE 3 in order to utilizescrap or waste material. yIn this example, each wall 70 is formed of apair of small slats 72 and 73 secured by glue or other fastening meansto another pair -of slats and 76 which extend across the irstslats. Asthe illustrated containerisA substantially square in cross section, endwall 70 is square. This wall isof such size that when itis placed in theVconatiner near oneend thereof; it tits against the inner surfaces 28 ofend battens 22.

Suitable means is provided for releasably retaining the end wall in thisposition. One form of `securing means l78 is illustrated in FIGURE 6..This securing means consists of an endless elastic vband 80 havingidentical clips 82 and 83 at the ends thereof. Clip 82 consists of arpiece of wire bent into a loop S4 through whichvband 811 extends, andhaving oppositely extending lingers S5 and 86. Similarly, clip 83 is apiece of wireformed with a loop 3S through which band Si! extends, andhaving oppositely extending fingers 39 and 99; =Each of walls 12 and 13is formed' with holes 92 and93- adjacent end battens 29 and 22 near theupper edge of saidfwall when it is in the erected position. j j

When end wall 79 .is moved into position within container 10, clip 82 isturned into alignmentwith band Sil and moved through holer 92 of sidewall Y14. After the clipy is through the hole, it is turned into aposition substantially at right angles to the elastic band Vso thatfingers 85 and bearv against the outer surface of the kadjacent slat 32.Then clip 83 is turned into aA position'in line with band 86 and movedthrough hole 92 of'wall 12, after which the clip is swung into aYposition susbtantially at right angles to the adjacent wall slat andband 80. The slat holes 92 `are so located Vthat band Si) extends acrossvthe inner surface of end Wall 70 Vto hold said wall against theadiacent end battens. Another end wall is positioned in lthe containerat the opposite end thereof by means of another fastening means 78. Y

lThe top wall 15 may be omitted from the Vcontainer so that itis anopen-topped containerl or crate. VIf said wall` 15 isprovided, as shown,Yrelatively large Wire loops 96, 97, 98 and 99 project outwardly fromfree ends of battens 2t), 22,V 4@- and y41 substantially in line withsaid battens, and in place of wire hinges-r 6l), 64, 65 anden;

Similarly, free ends of battens 20, 22, 40 and 41 of walls t outwardlyto malte. a stronger, connection between the ref spective loops. Y

FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate an alternative formA of securing means forreleasable retaining each end wall 70 in position in they container.This securing means includes staples 112 and 113 driven into endybattens 20 and 22 of side walls 12 and V14 near the tops ofthe latter.`Staple 112 is preferably driven into the outer-surface of hatten 20 ofwall 12 at 115 and bent around said batten, as clearly shown in .FIGURE8, to provide a loop 1116 extending transversely of the container andspaced inwardly from the inner surface of said batten 20. Staple 113 isvmounted in the same manner on lend batteri 29 of wall 14, and has ayloop 11S projecting transversely ofthe container towards loop'116. Asuit# able tie 121i formed of suitable' material, such as rubber, wire,ytape, plastic or Vthe like, extends Ybetween Yand is rsecured to stapleyloops 116 and`118. `This draws walls -12 and 14 towards each otheragainst the adjacent edges of end wall 79, and holds said end wall vagainst the inner surfaces of the end battens of Walls 12,

13 and 14.

When it is desired toship or store container 10, the walls `12, .13, 14,and 15 thereof are moved to the fiat'- tened out position shown inFIGURE 1, at which time the container takes up very little space. Whenit is desired to erect the container, it is only necessary` to swingwalls 12 and 14 into'positions substantially at right angles to bottomwall 13, and to move end Walls 70 into position within the containeragainst the adjacent surfaces of the endbattens 20 and 22. The endwallsare quickly, easily and removably secured in position by means ofthe securing means 78 inthe manner described above. If cover or top wall15 is used, it is swung down into the closed positionand loops'191, 102,103 land 104 bent outwardly relative to loops 96, 97,'` 98 and 99removably to hold the top wall in said closed position.,V

The container may be quickly collapsed by reversing the above-describedprocedure.

Although all slats 32 are the same size, containers of differentdimensions may be made from these slats. For any particular container,it is only necessary to determine the length of the battens for thewalls thereof and to cut the battens accordingly. For a very shortcontainer, slats 32 may extend between the end battens. For longercontainers, a desired number of intermediate battens are used. Each wallof the container may be only the width of one slat 32 wide, or it maysubstantially equal the width of two or more slats. Thus, themanufacture of these containers is a comparatively simple matter. Theend walls for the container have to be made the right size and shape fora predetermined container.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A collapsible container including a plurality of identical walls;each wall comprising end battens having grooves in inner surfaces andextending longitudinally thereof, at least one intermediate battenbetween and parallel with the end battens and having grooves in oppositesurfaces and extending longitudinally thereof, and a plurality ofco-extensive slats of identical dimensions lying in a common plane andextending between the battens and secured in the grooves thereof; thebattens of said walls being aligned, the number of intermediate battensand slats having been selected from stock to produce a container 0fdesired length, flexible hinge means interconnecting adjacent ends ofthe end and intermediate battens whereby said walls may be swung from aat collapsed condition to positions angularly arranged relative to eachother to form a container having bottom and side walls, end wallsremovably mounted in the container at the end battens of the wallsthereof, and securing means removably retaining each of the end wallsagainst the adjacent end batten, said securing means comprising anelastic band with clips on ends thereof, said clips being adapted to bemoved through holes in slats of opposed container walls immediatelyinside an end wall.

2. A collapsible container as claimed in claim 1 in which each clipcomprises a piece of wire bent into a loop through which the bandextends, and ends of the wire constitute ngers projecting outwardly inopposite directions from said loop.

3. A collapsible container including a plurality of identical walls;each wall comprising end battens having grooves in inner surfaces andextending longitudinally thereof, at least one intermediate battenbetween and parallel with the end battens and having grooves in oppositesurfaces and extending longitudinally thereof, and a plurality ofco-extensive slats of identical dimensions lying in a common plane andextending between the battens and secured in the grooves thereof; thebattens of said walls being aligned, the number of intermediate battensand slats having been selected from stock to produce a container ofdesired length, flexible hinges means interconnecting adjacent ends ofthe end and intermediate battens whereby said walls may be swung from aat collapsed condition to positions angularly arranged relative to eachother to form a container having bottom and side walls, end wallsremovably mounted in the container at the end battens of the wallsthereof, and securing means removably retaining each of the end wallsagainst the adjacent end hatten, said securing means for each end wallcomprising staples secured to the end battens of the walls at oppositeedges of said end wall, and an elastic tie extending between and securedto said staples and extending over the inner surface of said end wall.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 778,143 12/04Phillips 217-36 947,767 1/ 10 Walter 217-69 987,250 3/11 McGown 217-691,419,794 6./22 Wilson 217-12 1,675,314 6/28 Rosenield. 2,035,992 3/36Sirnec 217-12 2,222,117 11/40 Newhouse 217-71 2,3 89,890 11/ 45 Borah229-23 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,051,034 9/53 France. 1,215,019 11/59 France.

239,307 2/ 46 Switzerland.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

EARLE J. DRUMMOND, Examiner.

1. A COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF IDENTICAL WALLS;EACH WALL COMPRISING END BATTENS HAVING GROOVES IN INNER SURFACES ANDEXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, AT LEAST ONE INTERMEDIATE BATTENBETWEEN AND PARALLEL WITH THE END BATTENS AND HAVING GROOVES IN OPPOSITESURFADES AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, AND A PLURALITY OFCO-EXTENSIVE SLATS OF IDENTICAL DIMENSIONS LYING IN A COMMON PLANE ANDEXTENDING BETWEEN THE BATTENS AND SECURED IN THE GROOVES THEREOF; THEBATTENS OF SAID WALLS BEING ALIGNED, THE NUMBER OF INTERMEDIATE BATTENSAND SLATS HAVING BEEN SELECTED FROM STOCK TO PRODUCE A CONTAINER OFDESIRED LENGTH, FLEXIBLE HINGE MEANS INTERCONNECTING ADJACENT ENDS OFTHE END AND INTERMEDIATE BATTENS WHEREBY SAID WALLS MAY BE SWUNG FROM AFLAT COLLAPSED CONDITION TO POSITION ANGULARLY ARRANGED RELATIVE TO EACHOTHER TO FORM A CONTAINER HAVING BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS, END WALLSREMOVABLY MOUNTED IN THE CONTAINER AT THE END BATTENS OF THE WALLSTHEREOF, AND SECURING MEANS REMOVABLY RETAINING EACH OF THE END WALLSAGAINST THE ADJACENT END BATTEN SAID SECURING MEANS COMPRISING ANELASTIC BAND WITH CLIPS ON ENDS THEREOF, SAID CLIPS BEING ADAPTED TO BEMOVED THROUGH HOLES IN SLATS OF OPPOSED CONTAINER WALLS IMMEDIATELYINSIDE AN END WALL.